Method and Tool for Hair Extension Tape Fixing

ABSTRACT

A hair extension tape fixing tool includes two tape pressing plates and two pivoting half bodies that hold the plates. The elastic pressing plates are rectangular and have predetermined length, width and thickness. A method of attaching extension hair to a client&#39;s hair with the extension tape fixing tool includes steps of choosing strands of client&#39;s hair; bringing the tape patch of extension hair near the chosen strands of client&#39;s hair; positioning the strands of client&#39;s hair uniformly on the tape patch; and pressing the strands of client&#39;s hair on an adhesive surface of the tape patch with the hair extension tape fixing tool.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

The invention is related to hair extension. More particularly, the present invention is related to a hair extension tape fixing tool that is used in hair extension work using tape-type extension attaching end.

2. Discussion of Related Technology

Generally, the hair extension technology connects one or more extension hair pieces to hair of a person or an animal. The extension hair pieces are to make the person/animal's hair look longer or thicker and/or add color accents to the person/animal's hair. The extension hair pieces for hair extension are in various forms and shapes, and include hair weaves, widgets, etc. In this field, typically beauticians or hair stylists provide services of connecting extension hair pieces to hair of their customers. The foregoing discussion in this section is to provide general background information, and does not constitute an admission of prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the invention is to provide a hair extension tape fixing tool that facilitates hair stylist's work of attaching extension hair to a customer's hair.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a hair extension method using the hair extension tape fixing tool.

In order to achieve the objective, the present invention provides a hair extension tape fixing tool that includes a first tape pressing plate, a second tape pressing plate facing the first tape pressing plate, a first half body on which the first tape pressing plate is fixed and a second half body on which the second tape pressing plate is fixed. The first half body and the second half body are pivoted with each other with reference to a pivot point between a closed state, in which the first tape pressing plate overlaps with the second tape pressing plate, and an open state in which the first tape pressing plate is spaced from the second tape pressing plate.

Each of the first tape pressing plate and the second tape pressing plate is rectangular and has predetermined length, width and thickness.

Preferably, the predetermined length is in a range from about 1.5 inch to about 2.5 inch.

Preferably, the predetermined width is in a range from about 9/32 inch to about 9/16 inch.

Preferably, the predetermined thickness is in a range from about 1/32 inch to about ⅛ inch.

Each of the first half body and the second half body has a base, a handle extended from the base, and a support head that protrudes perpendicularly from the base. The first tape pressing plate is attached to the support head of the first half body, and the second tape pressing plate is attached to the support head of the second half body.

Each of the first tape pressing plate and the second tape pressing plate is made of elastomeric material.

Each of the first half body and the second half body has a spring that keeps the extension tape fixing tool in the open state, and a plastic sheath partially surrounds the handle.

The present invention also provides a method of attaching extension hair to a client's hair with the extension tape fixing tool. The extension hair comprises a plurality of hair strands, and an adhesive tape patch fixed to the ends of the hair strands. The method comprises steps of choosing strands of client's hair; step of bringing the tape patch of extension hair near the chosen strands of client's hair; step of positioning the strands of client's hair uniformly on the tape patch; and step of pressing the strands of client's hair on an adhesive surface of the tape patch with the hair extension tape fixing tool.

In the step of pressing the strands of client's hair on an adhesive surface of the tape patch, the strands of client's hair and the tape patch are positioned between the first tape pressing plate and second tape pressing plate of the hair extension tape fixing tool in its open state, and then in the hair extension tape fixing tool's closed state, the first tape pressing plate presses the strands of client's hair, and the second tape pressing plate presses the tape patch of the extension hair.

The advantageous effects of the present invention are: (1) durable hair extension attachment is possible because customer's hair strands are adhered to the tape patch of the extension hair with uniform and strong pressure; (2) side effects after hair extension service including uneven pulling of the hair are minimized and natural appearance is achieved because customer's hair strands are precisely aligned with extension hair; and (3) hair stylist's working time is reduced because a large number of customer's hair strands are connected to a large number of extension hair strands in one operation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the best embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a hair extension tape fixing tool according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a right side-elevation view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a left side-elevation view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a rear elevation view there of;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view thereof with the hair extension tape fixing tool in its open state; FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view thereof with the hair extension tape fixing tool in its open state;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view thereof with the hair extension tape fixing tool in its open state;

FIGS. 10-15 are schematic perspective views illustrating steps of the method of using the hair extension tape fixing tool in extension hair attaching work by a hair stylist; and

FIG. 16 is a flow diagram showing steps of the method.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments will be described in detail below. The accompanying drawings will be used for describing embodiments. For the sake of convenience of illustrating embodiments, thickness, length, diameter, size and other dimensions of components and/or hair would be illustrated or exaggerated to be different with those of actual components and/or hair, and the subject matter of this application is not limited to the illustrated embodiments.

FIGS. 1-9 show a hair extension tape fixing tool 10 that includes a first tape pressing plate 12, a second tape pressing plate 14 facing the first tape pressing plate 12, a first half body 16 on which the first tape pressing plate 12 is fixed and a second half body 18 on which the second tape pressing plate 14 is fixed. The first half body 16 and the second half body 18 are pivoted with each other with reference to the pivot point 20 (refer to FIG. 8) between a closed state (refer to FIGS. 5, 6) in which the first tape pressing plate 12 overlaps with the second tape pressing plate 14, and an open state (refer to FIGS. 7, 8) in which the first tape pressing plate 12 is spaced from the second tape pressing plate 14.

Each of the first tape pressing plate 12 and the second tape pressing plate 14 is rectangular and has predetermined length L (refer to FIG. 4), width b and thickness t (refer to FIG. 8).

Preferably, the predetermined length L is in a range from about 1.5 inch to about 2.5 inch. The range L is selected to slightly longer than the length of a tape patch 36, which is from 1 inch to 2 inch, in order to securely grab the entire length of the tape patch 36 in one operation. The tape patch 36 is fixed to the ends of hair strands 34 of an extension hair 32 (refer to FIG. 10).

Preferably, the predetermined width b is in a range from about 9/32 inch to about 9/16 inch. The range b is selected to slightly wider than the width of the tape patch 36, which is from ¼ inch to ½ inch, in order to securely grab the entire width of the tape patch 36 in one operation. The range of the dimension L and b are determined big enough to grab the entire tape patch so that attaching the tape patch of hair extension to client's hair in one operation; and small enough not to interfere with hair stylist's hands or client's hair. The size of the tape patch is determined to provide natural appearance of attached hair extension, enough attaching strength and not to give any tension or twist to client's hair.

Preferably, the predetermined thickness t is in a range from about 1/32 inch to about ⅛ inch. The range is effective for uniform and adequate pressing of strands of client's hair to the adhesive surface of the tape patch.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the first half body 16 and the second half body 18 has a base 22, a handle 24 extended from the base 22, and a support head 26 protrudes perpendicularly from the base 22. The first tape pressing plate 12 is attached to the support head 26 of the first half body 16, and the second tape pressing plate 14 is attached to the support head 26 of the second half body 18.

Each of the first tape pressing plate 12 and the second tape pressing plate 14 is made of elastomeric material. Example of the elastomeric material includes rubber and silicone.

Referring FIG. 9, each of the first half body 16 and the second half body 18 has a spring 28 that keeps the extension tape fixing tool 10 in the open state, and a plastic sheath 30 partially surrounds the handle 24 to provide non-slipping grip of the handles by a hair stylist.

FIGS. 10-16 illustrate a method of attaching extension hair 32 to a client's hair 38. The extension hair 32 comprises a plurality of hair strands 34, and an adhesive tape patch 36 fixed to the ends of the hair strands 34. Steps of the method comprises step S01 of choosing strands of client's hair 38 (refer to FIG. 10); step S02 of bringing the tape patch 36 of extension hair 32 near the chosen strands of client's hair 38 (refer to FIGS. 11, 12); step S03 of positioning the strands of client's hair 38 uniformly on the tape patch 36 (refer to FIGS. 13, 14); step S04 of pressing the strands of client's hair 38 on an adhesive surface 40 of the tape patch 36 with the hair extension tape fixing tool 10 (refer to FIG. 15).

In step S04, the strands of client's hair 38 and the tape patch are 36 positioned between the first tape pressing plate 12 and second tape pressing plate 14 of the hair extension tape fixing tool 10 in its open state, and then in the hair extension tape fixing tool's closed state, the first tape pressing plate 12 presses the strands of client's hair 38, and the second tape pressing plate 14 presses the tape patch 36 of the extension hair 32.

The method is explained again with a hair stylist's work routine. FIG. 10 shows that a hair stylist chooses strands of client's hair 38 while holding the extension hair 32 with her left hand. FIG. 11 shows that she exposes the adhesive surface of the tape patch 36 with her right hand, while holding the chosen strands of client hair 38 with her left hand. FIG. 12 shows that she lifts the client hair strands 38 to provide space to position the tape patch of the extension hair 32. FIG. 13 shows that she positions the tape patch 36 below the client hair strands 38 near the scalp of the client. FIG. 14 shows that she aligns the client hair strands 38 uniformly over the tape patch 36. FIG. 15 shows that she presses the client hair strands 38 on the tape patch 36 with the hair extension tape fixing tool 10 with her right hand, while holding the client hair strands 38 with her left hand.

Although the hair extension tape fixing tool according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail hereinabove, it should be understood that many variations and modifications of the basic inventive concept herein described, which may appear to those skilled in the art, will still fall within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

The drawings and the forgoing description gave examples of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, however, is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of the invention is at least as broad as given by the following claims. 

1. A hair extension tape fixing tool comprising: a) a first tape pressing plate; b) a second tape pressing plate facing the first tape pressing plate; c) a first half body on which the first tape pressing plate is fixed; and d) a second half body on which the second tape pressing plate is fixed; wherein the first half body and the second half body are pivoted with each other between a closed state in which the first tape pressing plate overlaps with the second tape pressing plate, and an open state in which the first tape pressing plate is spaced from the second tape pressing plate.
 2. The hair extension tape fixing tool of claim 1, wherein each of the first tape pressing plate and the second tape pressing plate is rectangular and has predetermined length, width and thickness.
 3. The hair extension tape fixing tool of claim 2, wherein the predetermined length is in a range from about 1.5 inch to about 2.5 inch.
 4. The hair extension tape fixing tool of claim 3, wherein the predetermined width is in a range from about 9/32 inch to about 9/16 inch.
 5. The hair extension tape fixing tool of claim 4, wherein the predetermined thickness is in a range from about 1/32 inch to about ⅛ inch.
 6. The hair extension tape fixing tool of claim 5, wherein each of the first half body and the second half body has a base, a handle extended from the base, and a support head that protrudes perpendicularly from the base, wherein the first tape pressing plate is attached to the support head of the first half body, and the second tape pressing plate is attached to the support head of the second half body.
 7. The hair extension tape fixing tool of claim 6, wherein each of the first tape pressing plate and the second tape pressing plate is made of elastomeric material.
 8. The hair extension tape fixing tool of claim 7, wherein each of the first half body and the second half body has a spring that keeps the extension tape fixing tool in the open state, and a plastic sheath partially surrounds the handle.
 9. A method of attaching extension hair to a client's hair, wherein the extension hair comprises a plurality of hair strands, and an adhesive tape patch fixed to the ends of the hair strands, steps of the method comprising: i) choosing strands of client's hair; ii) bringing the tape patch of extension hair near the chosen strands of client's hair; iii) positioning the strands of client's hair uniformly on the tape patch; iv) pressing the strands of client's hair on an adhesive surface of the tape patch with a hair extension tape fixing tool comprising: a) a first tape pressing plate; b) a second tape pressing plate facing the first tape pressing plate; c) a first half body on which the first tape pressing plate is fixed; and d) a second half body on which the second tape pressing plate is fixed; wherein the first half body and the second half body is pivoted with each other between a closed state in which the first tape pressing plate overlaps with the second tape pressing plate, and an open state in which the first tape pressing plate is spaced from the second tape pressing plate.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein in the step of pressing the strands of client's hair on an adhesive surface of the tape patch, the strands of client's hair and the tape patch are positioned between the first tape pressing plate and second tape pressing plate of the hair extension tape fixing tool in its open state, and then in the hair extension tape fixing tool's closed state, the first tape pressing plate presses the strands of client's hair, and the second tape pressing plate presses the tape patch of the extension hair.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the first tape pressing plate and the second tape pressing plate is rectangular and has predetermined length, width and thickness.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the predetermined length is in a range from about 1.5 inch to about 2.5 inch.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the predetermined width is in a range from about 9/32 inch to about 9/16 inch.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the predetermined thickness is in a range from about 1/32 inch to about ⅛ inch.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the first half body and the second half body has a base, a handle extended from the base, and a support head that protrudes perpendicularly from the base, wherein the first tape pressing plate is attached to the support head of the first half body, and the second tape pressing plate is attached to the support head of the second half body.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein each of the first tape pressing plate and the second tape pressing plate is made of elastomeric material.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein each of the first half body and the second half body has a spring that keeps the extension tape fixing tool in the open state, and a plastic sheath partially surrounds the handle. 